As technology evolves ever more rapidly, scientists are turning their attention inward, investigating how to stall the ageing process and treat physical impairments.

The latest tech marvel might sound like the work of science fiction, but bionic eye implants could soon give millions of people the chance of seeing again.

Tests are already underway on several retinal prosthesis systems that promise to restore perfect vision to their wearers, and if successful, they could become a solution to the genetic eye disorder retinitis pigmentosa.

The artificial organs work by linking the gap between light entering the eye and the optic nerve, which is responsible for communicating images to the brain so we can process what we are seeing.

The most promising device comes from Second Sight’s artificial iris. So far it is the only US FDA-approved device on the market, and its creators believe it is poised on the cusp of commercialisation.

The glasses work by capturing images with a tiny camera and sending them to a handheld, connected computer.

The computer then processes the data and transmits it wirelessly to an electronic device implanted on the retina, and the brain interprets the rest.

The Argus II provides electrical stimulation of the retina to induce visual perception in blind individuals

A three-year clinical trial proved that the so-called bionic eye was effective in treating certain vision disorders and in a world-first, scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles last month managed to implant the visual stimulator chip into the brain of a 30-year-old woman.

The patient, who had been totally blind for seven years, reported that she saw coloured flashes, lines and spots when signals were sent to her brain from a computer.

During six weeks of testing, the patient consistently saw the exact signals the scientists sent to her visual cortex, the section of the brain which usually receives images from the optic nerve.

According to a statement released by the University of California, the patient suffered no significant adverse side effects in the process.

Another up-and-coming piece of technology comes from Melbourne’s diamond-electrode bionic eyes. The tech, if successful, could help those with the most incurable blindness to recognise facial expression and read large print.

Currently beginning preclinical testing in Melbourne, the design uses man-made diamond electrodes inside a diamond case to stimulate the retina at the back of the eye, so messages can be sent to the brain and interpreted visually.

In a global race to be the first to introduce the tech to the market, lead researcher Dr David Garrett said that his team’s device is different from the rest because it is fully wireless and the diamond casing would never erode in the body.

The only issue with optical tech? It will cost you. Wired reports that having your eyes fitted with the Argus II will cost between £80,000 and £100,000 in total - although that cost is being reduced as development continues.

The best apps for Londoners

The best apps for Londoners

1/12
Zip car

‘Join, reserve, unlock and drive’ — it really is that simple. The capital’s preferred car club’s app gives 24/7 access to cars and vans in your neighbourhood and lets you extend or cancel reservations on the go. Free

2/12
Uncover

Still on the waiting list for Chiltern Firehouse? You need Uncover, which redistributes cancelled reservations at some of the capital’s top restaurants, including The River Café and Nobu. Not for planning freaks, though — tables typically become free at 40 minutes’ notice. Free

3/12
Uber

So popular it’s become a verb, this private driver service has revolutionised travel in the capital. It’s speedy and affordable, making it a welcome alternative to the night bus. Free

4/12
Santander Cycles

Launched this summer, the official app for Boris’ fifth child can be used to search for nearby docking stations and check bike availability. There’s also a journey planner featuring easy, moderate and fast routes to satisfy all cycling tribes. Free

5/12
Plume Air Report

This new app has been downloaded by 3,000 Londoners. Sensors gathering air pollution data submit updates every hour, resulting in a scale that ranges from ‘fresh’ to ‘extremely polluted’. Free

6/12
Nightcapp

Here’s an app that will have booze hounds raising their glasses. NightCapp is a map that pinpoints more than 1,500 London watering holes that stay open past 11.30pm. It also shows users when a bar is about to close by highlighting it in orange. Better get moving. Free

7/12
Money Dashboard

An award-winning budget planner, this helps you keep track of personal spending across multiple accounts, pay off credit cards and even makes suggestions on how to manage your finances better. Free

8/12
Her

Promising to introduce women to ‘a lesbian that hasn’t slept with any of your friends’, this revamped dating app includes queer-themed news and blogs, upcoming event notices and an improved algorithm-matching system. Free

9/12
FoodMood

This new startup, which reckons it’s ‘Tinder for food’, pledges to narrow down your choice of lunchbreak destinations. Hit ‘yum’ or ‘yuk’ on photos of dishes in your area. Juvenile, but strangely addictive. Free

10/12
Daily Yoga

This offers more than 50 yoga sessions, as well as a database of 500 yoga poses. Suitable for all levels, programmes include yoga aimed at specific areas of the body and weight loss. Namaste to that. Free

11/12
Coffee Meets Bagel

Billed as the ‘anti-Tinder’, this new kid on the block delivers just a single match to users once a day. Coffee Meets Bagel uses Facebook profile information to recommend suitors based on friends of friends. Neither coffee nor bagels are included. Free.

12/12
Bristlr

Do you have a beard? Perhaps you’d like to stroke one on a regular basis? This can be arranged. Unlike other dating apps, Bristlr is unashamedly all about hooking up the hairy with the hairless. There’s even a beard-rating option for aficionados. Free

Think tanks are also predicting that beyond healing blindness, bionic eyes could also help us to buy superhuman properties.

In the future, artificial eyesight could help us to be able to see heat, identify gases by sight and maybe even look through walls.

Scientists are not ruling out the idea that the tech could one day allow you to zoom in and out of your field of vision, record what we see and automatically ‘sync’ your vision to the net.

The technology is still in its infancy, but the significant recent breakthroughs mean that we’re probably not too far from being able to treat the 39 million blind people the World Health Organisation reports are currently living worldwide with visual impairment.

Still, it may be several decades before we can post Instagram pictures with a blink of the eye.